Nitrogen and Crude Proteins in Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva) under Different Fertilization Treatments

Abstract

The research aim was to determine the influence of different organic and mineral fertilization treatments and post-harvest treatments on the content of nitrogen and crude proteins in the edible part of beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva). A field trial (2003-2005) was set up in a hilly part of Croatia according to the Latin square method with four types of fertilization (control, 50 t ha-1 stable manure, 500 and 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30), while treatments involved harvested fresh beetroot and stored fresh beetroot. The highest dry weight (DW) content was determined in climatologically favourable 2004 (average 14.8% DW) and in the treatment with 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30 (15.6% DW) in harvested beetroot. In 2004 and 2005, the highest levels of nitrogen and crude proteins in harvested beetroot were determined in the treatment with 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30 (2.41 and 2.43 g N kg-1 in fresh weight and 15.07 and 15.21 g crude proteins kg-1 in fresh weight, respectively). Regardless of fertilization treatment or studied year, nitrogen and crude protein contents were higher in stored than in harvested beetroot, by 12% on average. The lowest crude protein content was determined in treatment with stable manure what confirmed that protein content decreased by organic fertilization. It can be concluded that beetroot lost some water during the storage period, which increased its content of nitrogen and crude proteins in fresh weight and thus increased the nutritional quality of beetroot as a functional food.

Meloidogyne javanica parasitism and its impacts on the vegetative parameters, physicochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of beet

“…This result was similar to that reported by the United States Department of Agriculture in studies using fresh beet (860 g kg -1 ) (USDA, 2019). The control treatment showed the highest-protein content, 12.6 g kg -1 (Table 3); this value is similar to that detected in the beet 'Bikor' (13 to 14 g kg -1 ) (Petek et al, 2012). However, protein levels decreased linearly with increasing nematode populations, which may be related to the increase of the gall number -that was directly proportional to the inoculum levels; such gall are the same ones formed as a response to feeding of the nematodes (Hoth et al, 2005), and for which the nutrients, including proteins, are drained and directed to feed these pathogens.…”

Chemical Composition of Selected Beetroot Juices in Relation to Beetroot Production System and Processing Technology

“…However, this was true only for fresh, raw produce, while fermented beetroot juices contained similar levels of betanin-3-O-glucoside, independently on the beetroot cultivation system (organic or conventional). As shown by Sakuta et al (1987), increasing soil nitrogen concentration resulted in higher betacyanin accumulation in the American plant Phytolacca americana L. It is so because betalains (including betacyanins) belong to nitrogen-containing colorants (Moreno et al, 2008;Petek et al, 2012). Brandt and Mølgaard (2001) explained that in growing environments rich in readily assimilable nitrogen, i.e.…”

“…Owning to high concentrations of minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, sugars, essential oils and dietary fiber, but especially betalains, beetroot has an important role in the human diet (Bogacz, 2010;Petek et al, 2012). From a chemical point of view, betalains are ammonium conjugates of betalamic acid with cyclo-DOPA (betacyanins) and aminoacids or amines (betaxanthins).…”

Medicinal plants of the family Lamiaceae as functional foods - a review

“…Soybean grain is well-known for its functional components such as proteins, isoflavones, oligosaccharides, and phospholipids with beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes (Dixit et al 2011). Glucosinolates in broccoli (Fabek et al 2012), amino acids in red head chicory (Herak Ćustić et al 2009), phosphorus (Petek et al 2008, and proteins (Petek et al 2012) in beetroot can also improve human health. Phytosterols found naturally in vegetable oils, beans, and nuts have proven cholesterol lowering properties.…”